About Us
Obiwuotu Mbaise: Who We Are
Obiwuotu Mbaise, Boston is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to representing and serving the Igbo community—especially those with roots in the Mbaise region of Nigeria—residing in the Boston area and more broadly across the United States. At our core, we believe that culture, faith, education and community service are inextricably linked, and our members are those who share a heritage of the Mbaise Igbo people, along with friends and allies who support our mission.
Our organisation serves three principal purposes:
Cultural Preservation and Celebration: We nurture Igbo language, folklore, music, festival traditions, and the communal spirit of the Mbaise people. We do this by organising cultural festivals, Igbo-language workshops, youth dance and music events, and other heritage-preserving activities.
Community Building and Networking: We provide a welcoming “home away from home” for members of the Igbo/Mbaise diaspora in the Boston region. This includes social gatherings, mentoring programs, professional networking, and support systems for newcomers.
Education, Empowerment and Service: We invest in the future of our community through scholarships, workshops, mentoring of youth, and philanthropic outreach—both here in the U.S. and in Mbaise, Nigeria. Our focus is on raising educational attainment, strengthening family units, and promoting economic and social well-being.
Our Values:
Unity – We adhere to the Igbo adage “igwebuike” (there is strength in unity).
Heritage – We honour our ancestral traditions, language and culture.
Service – We endeavour to serve members of our community, wherever they live and especially those in need.
Faith – While we are inclusive, many of our members share Christian faith traditions, and our work often reflects values of love, compassion and stewardship.
Excellence – We promote high standards in education, professional life and community leadership.
What We Offer:
Regular social, cultural and educational programming (e.g., New Yam festivals, Igbo-language classes, youth leadership forums)
Networking and peer support for Mbaise/Igbo individuals and families in Greater Boston
Outreach programs: immigration orientation, career-mentoring, connecting families with resources
Philanthropic initiatives: scholarship funds, community service days, partnerships with development projects in Nigeria
A platform for maintaining and strengthening identity, while also contributing meaningfully to our U.S. residence communities
Membership:
Becoming a member of Obiwuotu Mbaise, Boston, means joining a family of proud people who share your heritage and values.
Benefits of Membership:
Connection with a supportive community
Cultural and social engagement
Access to educational and professional development programs
Opportunities to contribute to local and international charitable projects.
Who Can Join
Membership is open to:
Individuals of Igbo descent, with a particular connection to Mbaise heritage
Family members and friends who support our mission and values
Anyone residing in the Boston region (and U.S. more broadly) who wishes to engage with the Igbo/Mbaise community, learn from it, and contribute to its growth
Through these offerings, Obiwuotu Mbaise, Boston fosters a robust sense of belonging, cultural pride, and purposeful action within our diaspora community and beyond.